John Edwards’ Mistress Accused of Being a Gold Digger

By Pamela Mortimer

As one might expect, the news of Rielle Hunter’s affair with former presidential candidate John Edwards has turned the media against her, referring to the woman an "impetuous philanderer." Hunter’s former confidant, Pidgeon O’Brien has come to the woman’s aid, saying that Hunter is not capable of such behavior.

"She doesn't have it in her soul. She can't be bought," Pidgeon O'Brien said in a recent interview. "She said he was in love with her and she was in love with him."

While Hunter and Edwards were involved in the affair, O’Brien claims she Hunter spent many hours on the phone discussing the relationship. The friends knew each other from their party days in New York in the mid-1980s when they "ran in the same crowd," frequenting exclusive nightclubs. Hunter and O’Brien were known to spend late nights "hob-knobbing" with high-powered media personalities and the literary elite.

Both women became close friends with writer Jay McInerney, author of "Story of My Life." The book spins a tale narrated by Lisa Druck; "a promiscuous, aspiring actress" who McInerney claims was inspired by Hunter.

O'Brien added: "She enjoyed sex, drugs and had fun, but that doesn't mean she robbed banks."

Regardless of what people are saying about Hunter, O’Brien claims that even from their party days, Hunter was "manically insistent on integrity."

"She is very into honesty and trust. She doesn't put up with bulls---." Although O'Brien insists on Hunter’s integrity, she is at a loss to explain why her friend would become involved with a married man or allegedly took cash payments from a man closely associated with Edwards.

Edwards’ former campaign fundraiser Fred Baron told the Dallas Morning News he was "acting independently" regarding the $15,000 monthly payments to Hunter. The cash payments were funneled through Edwards’ aide Andrew Young, who confessed to being the father of Hunter's baby. Baron claims the payments were given to assist in relocating Young and Hunter, who were constantly being targeted by tabloid journalists.

Edwards claims he had no knowledge of the monthly payments.

O'Brien stated that she came forward to defend Hunter after noting several inconsistencies in Edwards’ story.

O'Brien also claims she hasn't spoken to Hunter in months but remains in constant contact with mutual friends. O’Brien says she is concerned about Hunter and believes her friend got in over her head.

"I am having trouble reconciling with the Rielle I know as anything but an unflinching character," O'Brien said.